My new Shigeru SK2 (5'10") was delivered 2 days ago, and it has a Yamaha U1 Disklavier for a friend. I'm going to keep the Yamaha since it's an excellent upright, I can record on it or play with headphones at night, maybe do duets with a friend (are you reading AdagioM?) and maybe move it upstairs someday since my grandkids are not allowed to touch the Shigeru.

I wasn't planning to buy a new grand quite so soon because of my neck and shoulder problems, but it just happened! Looking at pianos whenever "I'm in the neighborhood" led me to get more serious about it, and after finally selling our other home and paying off some major bills, my husband said that I can get a grand, but I decided I wanted one around 6' or shorter. Also, I had a budget of no more than $35K, so there went the Steingraeber 5'6" grand!

Among the many makes in the area (Petrof, CW, Steinway, Boston, Bosie, Vogel, Estonia, Schimmel, and others) my short list was down to:

M&H A[/b] - although the AA was nice too, although much bigger
Yamaha C3[/b] - because I like the Yamahas, and had lessons on a C3 for over two years; I played a C2 which I really liked as well.
Shigeru SK2[/b] - but considered the SK3 as well

I deciding against the M&H because it was too bright, and the pedals (on all the M&H grands) were too stiff even with the 2 springs removed. The C3 wasn't too bright in my opinion (as many people say about Yamahas), but the price was too high, although the M&H had the highest price.

I decided that with the craftsmanship of the Shigeru, the lower cost, and the fact that a specially trained Shigeru technician recently moved to the area from California, my best choice was the Shigeru. I almost bought the larger SK3 (6'1"), but when I played the two again, the SK2 was more than enough for me and $4000 cheaper. Sure, I could hear just a little more bass in the SK3, but unless I had both in my home I wouldn't miss it. The SK2 has a beautiful bass that is perfect for my home. The touch is very creamy and smooth, and I love the tone.

The piano movers left 30 minutes before my piano teacher showed up so it was close! I barely had enough time to wipe it down, straighten up the area and practice a bit. My teacher really liked it - she commented on liking the action compared to the older Kawai action without the Millenium III.

Vaughn, if you're reading, thank you (and Park) for helping me with the Shigeru deal.

I decided against travelling all over the Northwest to look for my grand. When I was hunting for my upright, I travelled up to Seattle and Vancouver, but when I came back to Portland, my jewel was right here, just like I knew I'd eventually find a jewel of a grand locally. I really didn't want to spend the extra money or time travelling.

I will post pictures later this week when I can get the room back to a presentable state. Thanks for reading.

Congratulations sleepingcats!

Looking forward to seeing pictures!

I hear they are wonderful pianos.

Enjoy!

Thanks pianobuff!

Reading some of your other posts, I think it's wonderful that you want quality pianos for your students to learn on. I've met with some piano teachers in the past who had terrible pianos - one was severly out of tune that playing beyond the first note was painful, it sounded like a saloon piano. Another one needed a lot of regulation. I don't see how they stay in business!

I forgot to mention in my first post that I also tried the Pleyels, but they are too far out of my price range.

sc

Congratulations. I'm sure the Shigeru is a first class instrument. Now tier one, according to Fine. I know i like the lesser Kawais with the exception of the GM10 I played. Yours can only be better.

Congrats, you fat cat you!

Time to start working on a duet!

Congratulations on the new piano. Can't wait to meet it!

O.K. Sleeping Cats. Get that camera out and send pictures. You have one really really great piano just waiting for you to practice on. Congratulations. Gaby Tu

Some photos for you all. You can see my Yamaha U1 Disklavier in a couple of the photos. In case any of you wonder, I received caster cups but I may adjust the position of the piano so I haven't placed them yet.

Also, I don't open the windows, and I can lower the shades to protect the piano from the afternoon sun. The back deck on the upper (main) floor is on the same side as the windows, so it helps to shield the basement from the sun.

My cat Blitz had to express his superiority over the piano, but it was fine this one time since I have that cloth on the piano. Surprisingly, my cats have gotten used to the piano already so they don't try to climb on it anymore.

Quite, quite lovely, and in a nice room, too. But ... cat hair!?! Arghh!!

Regards,

Smith and Wesson makes a useful product for keeping cats off of the piano. Nice piano.

I knew it! I knew I'd get cat comments!! That's why I posted that picture to get the cat issue out of the way now. They're a permanent part of my life so I adjust as necessary.

The cats usually prefer the bedroom upstairs anyway, and I vacuum twice a week. I also keep the lid open on the medium prop so the cats can't get on the lid anymore.

sc

That is one cool cat Mr. Cat, and I ain't talking about the cat!

What upright piano is that in the background?

Very pretty piano, and pretty setting!

Congratulations, Sleeping Cats!

WOW that's a really nice piano. I don't allow my cats near my piano or the other instruments because I don't want the scratches.

John

Beautiful. I'd be interested in hearing your impressions (biased as they may be) after you've had this for a while. I'm curious about the Shigeru Kawais, but haven't played one yet (no dealers in HK)... in particular, I'd like to know how the action compares to e.g., a Fazioli (which I really like)

BTW, I don't think I've seen a three position lid support before.

Sleeping cats. Your piano is absolutely gorgeous. What joy it will bring to you. That is one Quality piano---perfect in every way. I love the legs on your piano. Very elegant.

Westland, a three position lid seems to be a feature of some of the Kawai's. I just checked mine and it also has a three position lid.

Sleeping cats. It was a good idea to keep the other piano. You can play 2 piano duets, and also, when you have your lesson, your teacher can use the other piano to demonstrate. Gaby Tu

Sleeping cats. Your piano is absolutely gorgeous. What joy it will bring to you. That is one Quality piano---perfect in every way. I love the legs on your piano. Very elegant.

Westland, a three position lid seems to be a feature of some of the Kawai's. I just checked mine and it also has a three position lid.

Sleeping cats. It was a good idea to keep the other piano. You can play 2 piano duets, and also, when you have your lesson, your teacher can use the other piano to demonstrate. Gaby Tu

Sleeping cats. Your piano is absolutely gorgeous. What joy it will bring to you. That is one Quality piano---perfect in every way. I love the legs on your piano. Very elegant.

Westland, a three position lid seems to be a feature of some of the Kawai's. I just checked mine and it also has a three position lid.

Sleeping cats. It was a good idea to keep the other piano. You can play 2 piano duets, and also, when you have your lesson, your teacher can use the other piano to demonstrate. Gaby Tu

Sorry about all those multiple posts. Don't know how that happened. Gaby tu

Breathtaking sleeping cats, the piano the room and even the cats add a certain relaxing atmosphere to the whole scenario. I love it!!! Adopt me?

The Shigeru Kawai is one of my favorites.

Congratulations!

Very beautiful, Sleepingcats.

I hope you'll post a recording soon.

Aren't the pedal booties neat?

I left mine on until they wore out.


Mel

Great to see the picts - enjoy that nice piano!

Do try not to let the kitties get inside :-) They love exploring the insides of grand pianos. I consider stepping on the keys a good thing, though! Otherwise, where would Scarlatti have gotten his inspiration for that wonderful fugue!

I will try to copy the pictures to Terry Otake, the technician who will come to do your service.

I've seen Jerry in a grand piano but never Tom...

Nice piano by the way...

Love the pictures...

What is the significance of the Shigeru Kawai vs just a Kawai?

I just did a search:

Of all the musical masterpieces that come forth from Kawai, fewer than
one in one hundred will bear the name SHIGERU. Meticulously handcrafted in carefully limited numbers, the SHIGERU piano brings to fruition a century of advancement, knowledge and craftsmanship. It is the culmination of one man's destiny... born to fulfill the lifelong dreams of the pianist.

Wonderful piano!! I'm so happy for you and wish you great music-making!


Sophia

Oooh, it's ALL beautiful- piano, room, kitties! Congratulations!

Thanks for the sharing of the pictures, the Shigeru is gorgeous ! Congratulations! The round legs look much better than the pictures in ShigeruKawai's web site, may be it is just the angle of the pictures.

Very nice. Enjoy!

Thanks everyone for you kind comments! I am done buying pianos! I have two great pianos and I'm not even going window-shopping anymore!
The morning after I signed the deal and paid for the piano, I found the thread about Larry Fine's new supplement. I had no idea it was coming out, and no idea about the Shigeru moving up to Tier 1. It was a nice surprise. Hi sid, it's a Yamaha Disklavier U1, which I will continue to play.
I've never played (or seen) a Fazioli so I can't do any comparisons, but right now all I can say is that the action is consistent, smooth and comfortable. I'm not the best to explain these things.

I don't know if many other grands have this feature (not something I immediately checked out when shopping), but on the Shigeru, you are prevented from accidentally placing the long prop stick in the short stick's spot because there's a piece of metal at the base of the props that keeps the long prop from angling too far back. I thought it was a nice safety feature.
Thank you Don. My youngest cat (in my avatar) is curious about everything[/b], but I'll be careful. The novelty of the new piano has already worn off for the older cats.

I look forward to Terry Otaka's visit.

Congratulations on your new Shigeru, you made a great choice. Thank you very much for your business, it was a lot of fun working with you. Enjoy the piano!